Former Everton manager Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson in the hot seat in the summer, signing a six-year contract. While many predicted Ferguson's act would be a tough one to follow, few expected United to perform as badly as they have done.

Moyes has spent more than £60million on bringing in Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata but many pundits feel more sweeping changes are needed to the playing staff to improve United's fortunes.

Former captain Roy Keane was among them, saying: "I think United need six top quality players. I would think David Moyes has been shocked. I think when he went into United in the summer he probably looked at the players and was expecting great things.

"Privately, he's probably been shocked at the lack of quality he's working with."

Nemanja Vidic has already said he will leave the club in the summer, while another key member of the club's recent success, Rio Ferdinand, appears to be nearing the end of his career.

Mel had earlier gone odds-on following newspaper reports of unrest among the playing staff at The Hawthorns.

The former Real Betis coach was only appointed on January 9 but has failed to lead the Baggies to a victory during his seven games in charge and they remain in the thick of the relegation battle, sitting 17th, just one point outside the relegation zone.

The Moyes move saw Mel's odds pushed back out to 5/2 with previous favourite Chris Hughton being lengthened to 5/1.